“It was a wonderful experience, great timing, and I learned an incredible amount in 2 months.” – Kathleen Hartnett, 2002 Fellow

“The folks were quite welcoming and plugged me in to projects right away. I have been able to stay busy and get wide exposure to their different practice areas.” – Jason Oraker, 2004 Fellow

What a great way to start a career!  More and more D.C. law firms are offering their incoming associates the same opportunity presented to Kathleen and Jason – the chance to participate in the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program’s Graduate Fellowship Program. Last year, 9 fellows contributed over 3600 pro bono hours to 9 different public interest agencies!

What is a Graduate Fellowship?

Under the Graduate Fellowship Program, law firms lend incoming associates to one or more of the 28+ affiliated public interest agencies – all of which have exciting and diverse practices. These agencies engage in direct representation, legislative advocacy, policy development and/or impact litigation. Incoming associates who wish to work at public interest agencies not currently affiliated with the Fellowship Program should contact the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program. Last year, we recruited 2 new agencies at the request of incoming associates who later became Fellows at those agencies.  

The actual time frames of the Fellowship may vary - depending on the agency’s needs and the associate’s availability. Some Fellows may work part-time for 5 weeks while studying for the bar exam, and then full–time for 5 weeks beginning in mid/late-August. Other Fellows may work full-time for 10 weeks sometime after mid/late-August. The participating law firms determine how to compensate incoming associates during their Fellowships.

Why Participate in the Graduate Fellowship Program?

The Graduate Fellowship Program provides much needed assistance to its affiliated public interest agencies. At the same time, it offers Fellows professional development under the supervision of highly qualified attorneys who are on the front line of serving the poor and disenfranchised.

“The highlights of the Graduate Fellowship Program include the extremely high quality of the work performed by the Fellows, the seriousness with which they approach the work and our clients, and their overall enthusiasm for the Agency’ s mission.” – Jennifer Thomas, Public Defender Service of D.C.

“[On our Fellow’s] first day he helped us negotiate with folks at Homeland Security, his second went to jail, and his third and fourth spoke in Court. He has successfully won several bond motions, done an oral argument, filed a number of habeas petitions, helped reunite families, and been an integral part of our office.” – Debi Sanders, Former Executive Director, CAIR Coalition

How are Fellowships Arranged?

If your law firm already is participating in the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program Graduate Fellowship Program, contact the firm’s Recruitment Coordinator. You will be provided with a description of affiliated agencies and an application form to complete. The interviews will be coordinated by the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program.

If your law firm is not yet participating in the Graduate Fellowship Program, or if you have questions about the Program, please contact Mark Herzog at the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program at 202.737.4700, ext. 206 or at mherzog@dcbar.org.

2008 Graduate Fellowship Program Application Form
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